Addiction treatment counsellor

Classification Title: Addiction Treatment Counsellor

Department: Addiction, Mental Health and Outreach Services

Hours of Work: 40 Hours Per Week (Full-Time, Permanent)

Reports to: Manager Addiction, Mental Health and Outreach Services

Number of Position: 1 (144 Roxborough Street West, Grant House) (Some travel to other sites as needed)

Pay Rate

$57,449.60 Annually

Extended Application Deadline: Tuesday, August 18, 2026

Requisition Type: Active Job Posting

Company Overview

Street Haven at the Crossroads is a multidisciplinary agency dedicated to supporting women on their journey toward safety, stability, and personal empowerment. The organization provides a continuum of care that includes emergency shelter services, supportive housing, addiction recovery programs, mental health supports, and skills training. Since 1965, Street Haven has served women across the Greater Toronto Area through both onsite and outreach community-based programs, meeting women where they are. Through an integrated and compassionate approach to service delivery, Street Haven helps women rebuild their lives with dignity, resilience, and hope.

Position Overview

Reporting to the Manager, Addiction, Mental Health and Outreach Services, the Addiction Treatment Counsellor provides counselling, crisis intervention and group facilitation to clients in-residence at the addiction treatment site. Addiction Treatment service is a 90-day, multi-bed treatment program supporting women who have identified as having substance use goals. Grant House supports women both from the community and from the justice system.

The Addiction Treatment Counsellor develops and delivers programs designed to meet the individuals’ needs and assist them in working towards their substance use goals. They engage in advocacy work, referrals and coordination with other service providers, group and one to one therapy, and other related activities. The Counsellor also provides assistance on an ongoing basis through a continuum of services that can include but not limited to initial and ongoing assessment, treatment planning, and strengthening life skills.

Key Responsibilities

• Program Support
• Works within an inter-disciplinary team, liaising with others to promote a supportive and respectful environment.
• Participates as a member in all team functions e.g., program planning, team meetings, case conferences, etc.
• Engages in trauma-informed psychosocial assessment with clients.
• Ensures flow of critical information, including documentation and shift change, to bring forward issues and occurrences that take place while on shift.
• Supports strategies that encourage the involvement of all in providing and developing Street Haven services.
• Promotes a mutually supportive environment that emphasizes collaborative approaches and values the contributions of all members, including staff and residents within the in-residence treatment service.
• Provides support to clients within Street Haven’s umbrella of programs through addressing addiction, mental health and other trauma-related challenges (i.e., at the shelter).

• Client Support
• Provides individual and group counselling and education utilizing various models such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), life skills, coaching, mentoring and goal setting.
• In collaboration with the clients, develop individual treatment plans that will therapeutically guide, educate and empower clients to work toward substance use goals.
• In collaboration with the team, plan and develop programs that respond to client needs and trends.
• Support and mediate through client conflict and dynamics.
• Support clients with referrals and access to withdrawal management services.
• Monitor and accurately document client progress and coordinate treatment options.
• Provide psychoeducational programing and group facilitation to clients in residence.
• Be an active participant in case presentations evaluating therapeutic goals, barriers and treatment options within Street Haven Addiction Services and connecting programs.
• Provides case planning services, using a person-centered, anti-oppression, harm reduction approach to clients.
• Makes appropriate referrals and support systems navigation to ensure smooth reintegration into the community.
• Demonstrates a strong understanding of abstinence-based practices and principles and an ability to work within this framework.
• Monitors client progress and coordinate supports, including treatment options.
• Promotes a mutually supportive environment that emphasizes collaborative approaches and values the contributions of all members, including staff and clients
• Provides frontline support to other Street Haven staff/clients when needed.

• Administration
• Responsible for the admission, discharge and profile creation on the database for new clients.
• Develops and maintains accurate and confidential user of service record keeping in accordance with DATIS privacy guidelines and Street Haven policies and procedures.
• Maintains accurate real time case notes, client data and other records.
• Responsible for tracking and summarizing of statistical data on a quarterly basis.
• Keeps track of client referrals, admissions and discharges.
• Perform other duties as required.

Qualifications

• and Experience requirements
• Post-secondary degree or diploma in Human Services, Social Work, Addictions, or Mental Health.
• Has a minimum of 2 years of professional experience working in social services or related fields, and/or a combination of relevant education and experience.
• Experience working with marginalized women facing concurrent disorders would be an asset.

• Working Environment
• Days and evenings.
• This position may be single shifted.
• This position may involve walking, commuting and participating in client recreational activities.
• The environment is dynamic and unpredictable and involves regular exposure to clients who have been homeless and are living with challenges associated with mental health and addictions.

Where we work

This role is based in Downtown Toronto and requires working on-site during the hours of work. Some travel to other sites may be needed.

Bona Fide Occupational Requirements (Physical Demands)

• To safely perform the essential duties of this position, successful candidates must be able to meet the following bona fide occupational requirements:
• Safely lift, carry, transfer, or pivot up to 23 kg (50 lbs) unassisted when required.
• Perform frequent standing, walking, bending, crouching, reaching, and other physical movements throughout the shift.
• Respond promptly to emergencies, including assisting clients during falls, evacuations, or crisis situations when required.
• Work safely in a physically demanding, fast-paced, and unpredictable environment.
• Where applicable, safely operate or assist with client-support equipment (e.g., mechanical lifts, gait belts, and slider sheets) in accordance with Street Haven policies and training.

Inclusion

We are committed to diversity, equity and inclusion. Street Haven is an equal opportunity employer and candidates from diverse communities are strongly encouraged to apply.

We are committed to providing employment accommodation in accordance with the Ontario Human Rights Code and the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act. Please advise us in advance if you require accommodation so we can plan as necessary.

Application Process

To be considered for this position, you are committed to the mission of Street Haven. Street Haven is directed by the principles of Housing First and Harm Reduction, with all policies, procedures and service delivery informed by a demonstrated commitment to diversity and inclusion. We strongly encourage applications from women, and we welcome applications from candidates who can relate to and understand the unique needs of our client population.

We thank all applicants for their interest but only those selected for an interview will be contacted.